Sports

Cardinals thrash Gators

by APposted Jan 3 2013 7:35AM

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The Florida Gators had hoped to finish second or third in the final Associated Press college football poll if they could put together an impressive victory over Louisville in the Sugar Bowl. Instead, it was the 22nd-ranked Cardinals using a dominant performance to roll past the fourth-ranked Gators 33-23 at New Orleans on Wednesday.

The Cardinals took the lead for good when Terell Floyd returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. Teddy Bridgewater threw for two touchdowns and was 20-of-32 for 266 yards against a team that ranked among the nation's top three in most passing stats.

Once Jeremy Wright scored a short touchdown run to make it 14-0, it marked the first time all season Florida trailed by more than 10 points.

Gators quarterback Jeff Driskel turned the ball over three times on two interceptions and a fumble. He finished 16-of-29 for 175 yards after entering the game with just three interceptions all season.